Members of the Abingdon Ruritan Club gathered Monday night at the club’s headquarters in Bena to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the club’s charter and to recognize one of its longstanding members.

Following a steak dinner and a special birthday cake, 50-year member Graham Blake, who has never missed a Ruritan meeting in half a century, took some time to reflect on the club’s rich history.

Prior to Blake’s remarks, club president Pete Shepherd praised the club for all of the good it does in the community. “This is a wonderful club to belong to,” Shepherd said. “There is great, great fellowship and camaraderie here.”

“We’re here to celebrate the 58th anniversary of this wonderful Ruritan Club,” he added. “That, in itself, is a great accomplishment.”

Blake said he owed his perfect attendance to being blessed with good health and remembered a time he drove to Goochland one night to make up a meeting he was...